Gosselin: Michigan, Alabama hope to reap rewards of game in Texas on recruiting trail

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Alabama linebacker Adrian Hubbard (42) loses his helmet but keeps the pressure on Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson (16) in the first quarter during the University of Michigan Wolverines vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA college football game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on Saturday, September 1, 2012.

ARLINGTON — Alabama and Michigan set the table for the 2012 college football season at Cowboys Stadium before a record crowd and national television audience.

But that wasn’t what Saturday night was all about for these two historic football programs.

This game played on a field far, far away from both campuses was all about future games, future teams, future seasons and future players. Texas players.

If you want to compete for national championships, you’d better have some Texas kids on your roster. Saturday night was all about Alabama and Michigan trying to increase the size of their footprint in this state. The game _ won by Alabama in a romp, 41-14 — merely camouflaged a pair of high-profile recruiting visits.

That’s why fellow national powers LSU and Oregon travelled to Arlington a year ago this weekend to play what is becoming the official kickoff game of the college football season at Jerry World.

It’s why Brigham Young and Oregon State consented to open here in previous seasons. It’s also why Florida, Florida State, Nebraska, Ohio State and Southern Cal all ought to be on the telephone with Jerry Jones this week trying to line up future appearances in this game.

If you aspire to win national titles, you’re going to need a presence in the state of Texas. That’s where the players are. The eyes of Texas - specifically, the eyes of Texas high school football - will be upon you.

We take our high school football seriously down here. Witness the unveiling of the $60 million stadium in Allen on Friday night before a crowd of almost 22,000.

Alabama already knows all about Allen. The Crimson Tide successfully recruited the best player off the Eagles a year ago in quarterback Alec Morris. He’s one of five native Texans on the Alabama roster. With Texas now officially an SEC state with the arrival of A&M this fall, the Crimson Tide wants more of a Texas flavor to its roster.

Thus, the Cowboys Classic.

California, Florida and Texas have long been the most fertile recruiting territories in the college football landscape. But with the style of play shifting from the ground to the air, there’s no better place for college recruiters to spend their Friday nights than in the great state of Texas.

Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Robert Griffin III and Andy Dalton all learned how to play quarterback on Texas high school fields. They are among seven quarterbacks from Texas currently starting in the NFL. Another eight are serving in backup capacities.

The quarterback on Alabama’s 2009 national championship team was from Texas _ Greg McElroy of Southlake Carroll. Two other Texas-bred quarterbacks won national titles in the last seven years, Matt Flynn at LSU in 2007 and Vince Young at Texas in 2005.

The backup quarterback and heir apparent to Denard Robinson at Michigan is also from Texas _ Russell Bellomy of Arlington Martin. But he’s one of only two Texans on the Wolverines. Coach Brady Hoke knows he needs a greater presence in this state.

Thus, the Cowboys Classic.

This is why Jones built his palace in Arlington _ to showcase the best athletes, the best teams and biggest events. The Cowboys were just a part of his plan. A big part, mind you, but not the entire enchilada.

The Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game and world championship prize fights have already been staged at Cowboys Stadium. The Final Four is on the way and a BCS title game will soon follow. Cowboys Stadium is becoming to this generation of sporting events what the Los Angeles Coliseum or Yankee Stadium was to the last generation.

Hosting the elite college teams and college games has always been a part of the Jones plan. Arkansas and Texas A&M have already signed up long term and Notre Dame also will visit in 2013. The best college football programs want to be here. They need to be here.

There were 90,413 sets of eyes watching at Cowboys Stadium Saturday night. But the eyes that matter are those of prospective recruits. There’s a wealth of talent in the Texas prep ranks. An appearance at the Cowboys Classic helps open the door to those high schools.